Moisture sensing watering system

ABSTRACT

A moisture sensing water system comprising at least one moisture sensor coupled with at least one wheel coupled with a water conveyance system, the at least one moisture sensor pierces the ground during each rotation of the at least one wheel and performs a moisture sensing. A moisture information converter receives the moisture sensing information and converts the moisture sensing information into a signal indicative of the moisture content of the ground. A moisture content provider provides the signal indicative of the moisture content of the ground in a user accessible format to automatically control the amount of water disseminated by the moisture sensing watering system.

BACKGROUND

Irrigation methods are utilized by farmers to provide water to the cropsin their fields. There are a number of different irrigation methods;however, the intended result is to maintain a field with the properamount of water necessary for crop growth. Under-watering andover-watering can have significant impact on crop yield.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis application, illustrate and serve to explain the principles ofembodiments in conjunction with the description. Unless noted, thedrawings referred to this description should be understood as not beingdrawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an irrigated field with a plurality of wateringwheel irrigators thereon according to one embodiment of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 2 is a top view diagram of a field with a single watering wheelirrigator thereon according to one embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 3 is a side view diagram of a watering wheel irrigator according toone embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a moisture sensor according to one embodiment ofthe present technology.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a watering wheel moisture determiningsystem according to one embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for utilizing the watering wheelmoisture determining system to monitor moisture content according to oneembodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example computer system upon whichembodiments of the present technology may be implemented.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of thepresent technology, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. While the present technology will be described inconjunction with these embodiments, it will be understood that they arenot intended to limit the present technology to these embodiments. Onthe contrary, the present technology is intended to cover alternatives,modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spiritand scope of the present technology as defined by the appended claims.Furthermore, in the following description of the present technology,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present technology. In other instances, well-knownmethods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described indetail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the presenttechnology.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the followingdiscussions, it is appreciated that throughout the present descriptionof embodiments, discussions utilizing terms such as “receiving”,“storing”, “generating”, “transmitting”, “inferring,” or the like, referto the actions and processes of a computer system, or similar electroniccomputing device. The computer system or similar electronic computingdevice manipulates and transforms data represented as physical(electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers andmemories into other data similarly represented as physical quantitieswithin the computer system memories or registers or other suchinformation storage, transmission, or display devices. Embodiments ofthe present technology are also well suited to the use of other computersystems such as, for example, mobile communication devices.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a diagram of an irrigated field 101 with aplurality of watering wheel irrigators 103 a-103 n thereon is shownaccording to one embodiment of the present technology. In general,watering wheel irrigators 103 a-103 n are used within field 101 toirrigate a circular area such as circular areas 102 a-102 n. Although 4watering wheel irrigators 103 are shown in field 101, it should beappreciated that a field 101 may consist of more or fewer watering wheelirrigators. The use of 4 watering wheel irrigators herein is merely forpurposes of clarity. Moreover, it should also be appreciated that afield 101 does not have to be rectangular but may be of any shape. Forexample, in one embodiment circular area 102 may be a field 101.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a top view diagram of a field 102 with a singlewatering wheel irrigator 103 thereon is shown according to oneembodiment of the present technology. In one embodiment, watering wheelirrigator 103, includes a pivot 205, a water conveyance 206, such as atube, gutter, hose or the like, and wheels 204 a-204 n to support thewater conveyance 206. FIG. 2 additionally shows the direction of travel210 of watering wheel irrigator 103 as well as the wheel paths 215 a-215n as watering wheel irrigator 103 travels around the circular area 102.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a side view diagram of a watering wheelirrigator 103 is shown according to one embodiment of the presenttechnology. In one embodiment, watering wheel irrigator 103 includespivot 205, water conveyance 206, and wheels 204 a-n as shown in FIG. 2.In addition to the features from FIG. 2, the side view of watering wheelirrigator 103 illustrates a nozzle system 305 a-305 n for spraying thefield. In general, watering wheel irrigator 103 can be of differentlengths and sizes. For example, if it were used in a yard, wateringwheel irrigator 103 may be 5-30 feet long. Conversely, in a large field101, watering wheel irrigator 103 may be 100-600 feet long. Although anumber of sizes are described, the actual size of watering wheelirrigator 103 may be outside of the stated ranges in either direction.The watering wheel irrigator 103 lengths herein are merely provided forclarity.

In one embodiment, watering wheel irrigator 103 also includes an antenna310 and a plurality of moisture sensing probes 308 a-308 n. As can beseen from the illustration, each wheel 204 may have none or any numberof moisture sensing probes 308 affixed to the wheel 204. For example,wheel 204 closest to pivot 205 is shown with 4 moisture sensing probes308, while the second wheel 204 has 2 moisture sensing probes 308 andthe third wheel is shown with 3 moisture sensing probes 308. In anotherexample, the moisture sensing probes 308 may be placed only on everyother wheel, every third wheel, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a diagram of a moisture sensing probe 308 isshown according to one embodiment of the present technology. In oneembodiment, moisture sensing probe 308 includes a tip 365, a body 360, aconverter 363 and a data path 355.

In one embodiment, moisture sensing probe 308 has a water sensor 365near the distal end. In addition, in one embodiment, body 360 can beadjusted or built to different lengths depending upon the depth at whichthe moisture measurements are desired. For example, a shorter body 360will provide a measurement closer to the ground 325 surface while alonger body 360 will provide a deeper soil moisture content measurement.

Converter 363 is utilized to convert the moisture content measurementfrom the water sensor 365 to an electronic signal indicative of themoisture content of the soil. The electronic signal can then betransmitted over data path 355. In general, data path 355 may be wiredor wireless.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a block diagram of a watering wheelmoisture determiner 500 is shown according to one embodiment of thepresent technology. In general, watering wheel moisture determiner 500measures the moisture content of the ground 325 and provides moisturecontent report 540 in a user accessible format.

Referring still to FIG. 5, watering wheel moisture determiner 500includes at least one moisture sensor 308 coupled with at least onewheel 204 coupled with a water conveyance system 206, the at least onemoisture sensor 308 to pierce the ground during each rotation of the atleast one wheel and perform a moisture sensing.

In one embodiment, watering wheel moisture determiner 500 also includesa moisture content converter 363 to receive the moisture sensinginformation and convert the moisture sensing information into a signalindicative of the moisture content of the ground 325.

Watering wheel moisture determiner 500 includes a moisture contentprovider 357. In one embodiment, moisture content provider transmits thesignal indicative of the moisture content of the ground 325 in a useraccessible format such as, moisture content report 540. In oneembodiment, the moisture content provider 357 is located at the at leastone wheel 204; However, in another embodiment, the moisture contentprovider 357 is located at the central pivot 205. For example, moisturecontent provider 357 may include a transmitter to transmit the datawired or wirelessly.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a flowchart 600 of a method for determiningground moisture is shown according to one embodiment of the presenttechnology.

With reference now to 610 of FIG. 6 and FIG. 3, one embodiment couplesat least one moisture sensor 308 with at least one wheel 204 of awatering wheel irrigator 103. As stated herein, each wheel 204 may havenone or any number of moisture sensing probes 308 affixed to the wheel204. For example, wheel 204 closest to pivot 205 is shown with 4moisture sensing probes 308, while the second wheel 204 has 2 moisturesensing probes 308 and the third wheel is shown with 3 moisture sensingprobes 308. In another example, the moisture sensing probes 308 may beplaced only on every other wheel, every third wheel, or the like.

With reference now to 620 of FIG. 6 and FIG. 2, one embodiment rotatesthe watering wheel irrigator 103 about a central pivot 205.

With reference now to 630 of FIG. 6 and FIG. 3, one embodiment utilizesthe at least one moisture sensor 308 to determine moisture informationcomprising the moisture content of a portion of ground 325 proximal tothe at least one wheel 308 at different points during the rotating 210of the watering wheel irrigator 103 about the central pivot 205.

In one embodiment, the moisture sensing probes 308 are affixed to thewheel 204 and punch into the ground 325 as watering wheel irrigator 103rotates about pivot 205 through the field 102.

With reference now to 640 of FIG. 6 and FIG. 5, one embodiment providesa moisture information converter 363 to convert the moisture informationfrom the at least one moisture sensor 308 into a moisture content report540. In one embodiment, the moisture information is collected from eachmoisture sensor 308 at a moisture information converter 363 coupled tothe moisture sensor 308.

In another embodiment, the moisture information is collected from one ormore moisture sensors 308 at a central moisture sensor data collectionlocation. For example, each moisture sensor 308 may be wired orwirelessly coupled with a central moisture information converter 363.The central moisture information converter 363 may be located at thewheel 204 or at another location on the watering wheel irrigator 103.

In one embodiment, a transmitter/receiver 310 located at the centralpivot 205 is used for transmitting the moisture content report 540.However, in another embodiment, a transmitter may be incorporated atdifferent locations on the watering wheel irrigator 103, such as atwheel 204 for transmitting the moisture content report.

In one embodiment, moisture content report 540 is used as stand-aloneinformation. For example, the moisture content report 540 may provideinformation about over-watering or under-watering situations for aparticular field. However, moisture content report 540 may be mined downfor further specific information. For example, if more than one wheel204 a-204 n has a moisture sensing probe 308, the information frommoisture content report 540 could be used to determine differentmoisture issues within the circular area 102. In other words, if one ormore sprinklers 305 were clogged or miss-operating, moisture contentreport 540 may show that the ground is well-watered except for the areaaround wheel 204 a. If the area around 204 a was shown as beingoverwatered, a leak or the like may be occurring. Similarly, if theground around 204 a was shown as being under-watered, sprinkler 305 amay be clogged, broken, or the like.

In another embodiment, moisture content report 540 may be used by alarger field management system. For example, moisture content report 540may be added to a database of information that can be used to developwatering plans and schedules to meet the needs of the crops, as definedby agronomists, or the farmer. In another example, moisture contentreport 540 may be used to estimate watering needs based on crop, fieldparameters, time of year, weather, desired water content for the soil,and the like. Additionally, the larger field management system may usemoisture content report 540 to provide manual adjustment recommendationsor even perform automatic adjustments to the watering wheel irrigator103.

For example, after receiving the moisture content report 540, the fieldmanagement system may modify how long the watering wheel irrigator 103is on for at a given flow rate, if the flow rate can be adjusted, andthe like. In other words, in one embodiment, the signal is used toautomatically control the amount of water disseminated by the moisturesensing watering system.

Computer System

With reference now to FIG. 7, portions of the technology for providing acommunication composed of computer-readable and computer-executableinstructions that reside, for example, in non-transitory computer-usablestorage media of a computer system. That is, FIG. 7 illustrates oneexample of a type of computer that can be used to implement embodimentsof the present technology. FIG. 7 represents a system or components thatmay be used in conjunction with aspects of the present technology.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example computer system 700 used in accordancewith embodiments of the present technology. It is appreciated thatsystem 700 of FIG. 7 is an example only and that the present technologycan operate on or within a number of different computer systemsincluding general purpose networked computer systems, embedded computersystems, routers, switches, server devices, user devices, variousintermediate devices/artifacts, stand-alone computer systems, mobilephones, personal data assistants, televisions and the like. As shown inFIG. 7, computer system 700 of FIG. 7 is well adapted to havingperipheral computer readable media 702 such as, for example, a floppydisk, a compact disc, and the like coupled thereto.

System 700 of FIG. 7 includes an address/data bus 704 for communicatinginformation, and a processor 706A coupled to bus 704 for processinginformation and instructions. As depicted in FIG. 7, system 700 is alsowell suited to a multi-processor environment in which a plurality ofprocessors 706A, 706B, and 706C are present. Conversely, system 700 isalso well suited to having a single processor such as, for example,processor 706A. Processors 706A, 706B, and 706C may be any of varioustypes of microprocessors. System 700 also includes data storage featuressuch as a computer usable volatile memory 708, e.g. random access memory(RAM), coupled to bus 704 for storing information and instructions forprocessors 706A, 706B, and 706C.

System 700 also includes computer usable non-volatile memory 710, e.g.read only memory (ROM), coupled to bus 704 for storing staticinformation and instructions for processors 706A, 706B, and 706C. Alsopresent in system 700 is a data storage unit 712 (e.g., a magnetic oroptical disk and disk drive) coupled to bus 704 for storing informationand instructions. System 700 also includes an optional alpha-numericinput device 714 including alphanumeric and function keys coupled to bus704 for communicating information and command selections to processor706A or processors 706A, 706B, and 706C. System 700 also includes anoptional cursor control device 716 coupled to bus 704 for communicatinguser input information and command selections to processor 706A orprocessors 706A, 706B, and 706C. System 700 of the present embodimentalso includes an optional display device 718 coupled to bus 704 fordisplaying information.

Referring still to FIG. 7, optional display device 718 of FIG. 7 may bea liquid crystal device, cathode ray tube, plasma display device orother display device suitable for creating graphic images andalpha-numeric characters recognizable to a user. Optional cursor controldevice 716 allows the computer user to dynamically signal the movementof a visible symbol (cursor) on a display screen of display device 718.Many implementations of cursor control device 716 are known in the artincluding a trackball, mouse, touch pad, joystick or special keys onalpha-numeric input device 714 capable of signaling movement of a givendirection or manner of displacement. Alternatively, it will beappreciated that a cursor can be directed and/or activated via inputfrom alpha-numeric input device 714 using special keys and key sequencecommands.

System 700 is also well suited to having a cursor directed by othermeans such as, for example, voice commands. System 700 also includes anI/O device 720 for coupling system 700 with external entities. Forexample, in one embodiment, I/O device 720 is a modem for enabling wiredor wireless communications between system 700 and an external networksuch as, but not limited to, the Internet. A more detailed discussion ofthe present technology is found below.

Referring still to FIG. 7, various other components are depicted forsystem 700. Specifically, when present, an operating system 722,applications 724, modules 726, and data 728 are shown as typicallyresiding in one or some combination of computer usable volatile memory708, e.g. random access memory (RAM), and data storage unit 712.However, it is appreciated that in some embodiments, operating system722 may be stored in other locations such as on a network or on a flashdrive; and that further, operating system 722 may be accessed from aremote location via, for example, a coupling to the internet. In oneembodiment, the present technology, for example, is stored as anapplication 724 or module 726 in memory locations within RAM 708 andmemory areas within data storage unit 712. The present technology may beapplied to one or more elements of described system 700.

System 700 also includes one or more signal generating and receivingdevice(s) 730 coupled with bus 704 for enabling system 700 to interfacewith other electronic devices and computer systems. Signal generatingand receiving device(s) 730 of the present embodiment may include wiredserial adaptors, modems, and network adaptors, wireless modems, andwireless network adaptors, and other such communication technology. Thesignal generating and receiving device(s) 730 may work in conjunctionwith one or more communication interface(s) 732 for coupling informationto and/or from system 700. Communication interface 732 may include aserial port, parallel port, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Ethernet port,antenna, or other input/output interface. Communication interface 732may physically, electrically, optically, or wirelessly (e.g. via radiofrequency) couple system 700 with another device, such as a cellulartelephone, radio, or computer system.

The computing system 700 is only one example of a suitable computingenvironment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of the present technology. Neither shouldthe computing environment 700 be interpreted as having any dependency orrequirement relating to any one or combination of components illustratedin the example computing system 700.

The present technology may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Thepresent technology may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer-storage media including memory-storage devices.

We claim:
 1. A ground moisture determiner comprising: at least onemoisture sensor coupled with at least one wheel coupled with a waterconveyance system, the at least one moisture sensor to pierce the groundduring each rotation of the at least one wheel and perform a moisturesensing; a moisture information converter to receive the moisturesensing information and convert the moisture sensing information into asignal indicative of a moisture content of the ground; and a moisturecontent provider to provide the signal indicative of the moisturecontent of the ground in a user accessible format.
 2. The groundmoisture determiner of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality ofmoisture sensors coupled with the at least one wheel.
 3. The groundmoisture determiner of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of wheelscoupled with the water conveyance system, two or more of the pluralityof wheels having at least one said moisture sensor coupled thereto. 4.The ground moisture determiner of claim 1 wherein the moisture contentprovider is located at the at least one wheel.
 5. The ground moisturedeterminer of claim 1 wherein the moisture content provider is locatedat the central pivot.
 6. The ground moisture determiner of claim 1wherein the signal indicative of the moisture content of the ground istransmitted wirelessly.
 7. The ground moisture determiner of claim 1wherein the signal indicative of the moisture content of the ground istransmitted over a wire.
 8. A method for determining ground moisture,the method comprising: coupling at least one moisture sensor with atleast one wheel of a watering wheel irrigator; rotating the wateringwheel irrigator about a central pivot; utilizing the at least onemoisture sensor to determine moisture information comprising a moisturecontent of a portion of ground proximal to the at least one wheel atdifferent points during the rotating the watering wheel irrigator aboutthe central pivot; and providing a moisture information converter toconvert the moisture information from the at least one moisture sensorinto a moisture content report.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the atleast one moisture sensor pierces the ground during each rotation of theat least one wheel to determine the moisture information.
 10. The methodof claim 8 further comprising: coupling a plurality of moisture sensorswith the at least one wheel.
 11. The method of claim 10 furthercomprising: collecting the moisture information from the plurality ofmoisture sensors coupled with the at least one wheel at a moisturesensor data collector; and providing the moisture information to themoisture information converter.
 12. The method of claim 8 furthercomprising: coupling at least one moisture sensor with at least two of aplurality of wheels coupled with the watering wheel irrigator.
 13. Themethod of claim 8 further comprising: utilizing a transmitter at the atleast one wheel for transmitting the moisture content report.
 14. Themethod of claim 8 further comprising: utilizing a transmitter at thecentral pivot for transmitting the moisture content report.
 15. Amoisture sensing watering system comprising: a central pivot proximalwith a water source; a water conveyance system coupled to the centralpivot, the water conveyance system comprising: a length of waterconveying material; and at least one nozzle coupled with the waterconveyance system to distribute water received from the water conveyancesystem; at least one wheel coupled with the water conveyance system tosupport the water conveyance system and allow the water conveyancesystem to rotate about the central pivot; at least one moisture sensorcoupled with the at least one wheel, the at least one moisture sensor todetermine a moisture content of a portion of ground proximal to the atleast one wheel at different points during the rotation of said at leastone wheel; and a moisture information converter to convert moistureinformation from the at least one moisture sensor into signal indicativeof the moisture content of the portion of the ground; and a transmitterfor transmitting the signal indicative of the moisture content of theportion of the ground in a user accessible format, wherein the signal isused to automatically control the amount of water disseminated by themoisture sensing watering system.
 16. The moisture sensing wateringsystem of claim 15 wherein the at least one moisture sensor pierces theground during each rotation of the at least one wheel.
 17. The moisturesensing watering system of claim 15 further comprising: a plurality ofmoisture sensors coupled with the at least one wheel.
 18. The moisturesensing watering system of claim 17 further comprising: a moisturesensor data collector to collect the moisture information from theplurality of moisture sensors coupled with the at least one wheel andprovide the moisture information to the moisture information converter.19. The moisture sensing watering system of claim 15 further comprising:a plurality of wheels coupled with the water conveyance system, two ormore of the plurality of wheels having at least one said moisture sensorcoupled thereto.
 20. The moisture sensing watering system of claim 15wherein the transmitter is located at the at least one wheel.
 21. Themoisture sensing watering system of claim 15 wherein the transmitter islocated proximate to the central pivot.
 22. The moisture sensingwatering system of claim 15 wherein the signal indicative of themoisture content of the portion of the ground is provided to a fieldmanagement system, the field management system utilizes the signal toperform a task from the group consisting of: providing a manual wateringadjustment recommendation, performing an automatic watering adjustment.23. The moisture sensing watering system of claim 22 wherein the fieldmanagement system utilizes the signal in conjunction with one or moredata types from the group consisting of: crop type, field parameters,time of year, weather, and intended water content for the soil; toperform the task.